Settlers who claim they are rightful owners of Hebron property say
they will remain in tent until allowed to reenter home

The settlers who were evicted from the Machpelah house in Hebron
pitched a tent near the property on Thursday and expressed intention
to remain there until they are permitted to reenter the home.

"Defense Minister (Ehud Barak) promised us that the investigation
will end within a month, and we intend to sit here until he fulfills
that promise," one of the settlers said. The group intends to hold a
Passover seder and other activities at the tent in order to step up
pressure on Barak.

The Machpelah house became a site of contention after dozens of
settlers entered the home last week, claiming they bought it from a
Palestinian man. The Palestinians, on their part, claim that no such
deal took place. The defense establishment prohibited the group to
continue inhabiting the property, and the site was declared a closed
military zone.

The Civil Administration ordered the settlers to leave the home by
Wednesday at 3:00 pm, claiming that their presence there is
unauthorized and disturbs public order.

"A delicate status quo is maintained between the Israeli and
Palestinian populations in Hebron, preventing friction between the
populations which might hurt residents," the agency said.
The settlers rejected the warrant, saying that the Civil
Administration never examined the legality of the purchase.